Poems by Saurav Saikia

Translated by Nirendra Nath Thakuria
(Painting by Tapas Das)

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News of Saurav’s Death

Sitting caused the death
Slouching in a flower Saurav has died because of its swaying
Because of startling bumblebees because of stealing the rainbow
In the fight for every inch in the sky Saurav has met his end
Saurav has met his end because of putting questions
Shivering on the rustling leaves at the height of darkness
Because of roaming alone in the run
Because of making a hut in the bamboo grove with the flickering fireflies
Saurav has lost his life

Hundred percent death
That he died rotting in the dustbin the beasts have made sure
In the betting of two bull buffaloes Saurav has lost his life
On either side of the volatile line of control Saurav has met his end
Killed by unknown assassins

Saurav has lost his life in a bright desolate spot
Drinking the yellow sherbet of the laburnum flowers
Saurav has drown in the flood of moonlight
Licking off the poison of kisses
Got entangled taking the silk cotton buds as cuckoos
In the lure of a hilly rock and a hamlet Saurav has met his end
Saurav has died
Saurav has died
The news comes dancing like the silvery crazy waves
What has knifed?
The wind laughs the wind laughs
Saurav has got lost in the vastness spreading mile after mile
Not the flowers but the storm has written
Saurav is really dead

To Diego Maradona

Give me a ball a ball a ball
And see what all I can do

If football wants I’ll don the fatigues of the army general
And jump into the battlefield
Long live the revolution
Long live the left foot
I’ll dribble in the sky if football demands
Long live the revolution
Long live the blue whirlwind
I’ll overcome the mountain to score the goal if footwall demands
Long live the revolution
Long live the magic touch
I’ll make the playground a canvas if football demands
Long live the revolution
Long live the live sun
Long live the dazzling horse agog with a new life
Drums vuvuzelas hurrahs and songs…

Give me space give half an inch, Genius
Look at the setting sun above
Green palm trees all around
You are crazy dashing – and now overtake another
Play a pass to Burruchaga?
Oh no! The ball’s still at your feet
Let the jungle of feet win

Let the exiled heart bleeding beneath the broad shoulders win
Let the diamond of the slums win
Let the hand of God win
Let the Jabulani win
Let the stunned rainbow bouncing back from the shaking goal bar win
Let the dynamic geometry win
Let the massive crowd win
Let the tears of spectators win
Let Amaravati brought down to earth win
Let artistry win
Let fretting win

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Saurav Saikia, a well-known Assamese poet, has published ten volumes of poetry. His poems have been translated into English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Oriya, Gujarati and Kannada. His works have appeared in leading journals and anthologies like Indian Literature, Samakalin Bharatiya Sahitya, and Dancing Earth (an anthology published by Penguin).

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